After nine years in the role, Managing Director Ian Halliday last month announced he was leaving DA to take up the role of Consul General and Senior Trade Commissioner to Dubai.

Dr Nation was previously the CEO of the Dairy Futures CRC. He is also a Co-Director of DairyFeedbase.

Dairy Australia said Dr Nation was chosen from a “global field of candidates”, in part for “his extensive experience across the dairy sector, including leading roles in a number of key dairy innovation pipeline projects”.

Dr Nation will take the reins from July 30, with Mr Halliday to remain during a handover period.

“Having had a variety of roles across the dairy sector, I know how the work of Dairy Australia can make a big difference to the country’s dairy farmers,” Dr Nation said.

Dairy Australia Chair Jeff Odgers said Dr Nation was already well known and respected by farmers for his commitment to improving farm productivity through innovation.

“David has been building his credentials in the dairy industry for many years and the benefits of his science and innovation work will continue to flow through the industry for years to come,” Mr Odgers said.

“Not only does David have an outstanding ability to relate to farmers, he has shown he can bring together people from across the government, private and not-for-profit sectors and get the job done.

“That skill is invaluable in an operating environment as complex as dairy.”

Mr Odgers praised Mr Halliday’s contribution to the dairy industry, including the delivery of a globally-recognised industry sustainability framework and the strengthening of Dairy Australia’s regional development programs.

“A big part of Ian’s legacy will be the achievements coming out of the DairyBio, Datagene and DairyFeedbase programs, which will have enduring benefits for farmers across the country,” he said.

“These are programs that Ian has been passionate about and, given David played such a critical role in getting them off the ground, I’m sure Ian will be satisfied to know they remain in good hands.”